Offshore firm fined £267,000 after worker fell to death through grating into North Sea

Offshore firm Ensco UK Limited has been fined £267,000 after health and safety failings resulted in a worker falling to his death through a missing grate on a North Sea rig.

Jason Thomas, 50, from Wales, was reported missing from the Valaris 121, about 100 miles south east of Aberdeen, on Sunday, January 22, 2023.

A major search was launched involving two oil supply vessels, a Coastguard helicopter and Coastguard aeroplane.

His body was never recovered.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) concluded that Mr Thomas fell through a grate that had not been properly secured and into the North Sea.

Mr Thomas fell into the North Sea through the platform HSE via Supplied

‘Profound tragedy’

Mr Thomas, an experienced offshore worker from South Wales with around 16 years in the industry, was reported missing at 4pm on January 22, 2023, a day when wind speeds exceeded 30 miles per hour.

He was last seen an hour earlier, leaving the staff lounge after saying he would deal with a lifebuoy that had become detached from its holder on the main deck.

A colleague then heard a loud noise. The 50-year-old’s hard hat, gloves and radio were then found near the airlock door.

On opening the door to deck 1, it was found that the grating immediately outside had been displaced, leaving a void above the waters of the North Sea.

After repeated tannoy calls failed to locate Mr Thomas, HM Coastguard was contacted several hours later, shortly before 9pm.

Mr Thomas’s mother obtained a Presumed Death Certificate through the Welsh Courts, confirming that he died on January 22, 2023. She passed away shortly after receiving this confirmation.

Ensco Offshore UK Limited were responsible for the operation of Valaris 121 Supplied

Health and safety breach

Ensco Offshore UK Limited (EO UK Ltd) was responsible for the operation of the Valaris 121 installation when the incident occurred on January 22, 2023.

The investigation concluded that wave action throughout the afternoon exerted sufficient upward force on the grating to cause the fixings to fail and displace it.

Ensco admitted a single charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. The company was fined £267,000, with an added victim surcharge taking the total payable to £287,025.

Following the incident, the company replaced all polymer grating across its fleet with galvanised steel grating.

HSE principal inspector Steven Hanson Hall said: “This was a profound tragedy which left lasting mark on Jason’s colleagues and his community.

“Jason Thomas was an experienced offshore worker who lost his life in the most unimaginable way possible. The fact his body was never found resulted in great anguish to his mother, who has also since died.

“The investigation was incredibly complex and thorough and we hope it has provided Mr Thomas’ remaining family with some closure and reassurance that we did everything we could to secure them justice.

“Grating systems must be designed, installed and maintained so that they do not present a risk to anyone that may use them, particularly when used in environments where they are susceptible to damage.

“Had the company taken relatively simple measures to identify and control the underling risks, particularly during the rig move, it is highly likely the incident would never have occurred, and Jason would have returned home.”